Camping options near Hilliard, Ohio include both small family-owned establishments and larger state parks within a 30-45 minute drive. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1000 feet above sea level, with terrain consisting primarily of gently rolling hills and forested areas around reservoirs. Central Ohio experiences summer temperatures that typically range from 70-85°F with occasional thunderstorms and humidity levels above 70% during peak camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails around lakes: Delaware State Park Campground features multiple interconnected trails where "there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park. Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike." The Lakeview Trail receives particular praise for pet access to water.
Mountain biking opportunities: Alum Creek State Park Campground offers dedicated mountain biking trails in addition to regular hiking paths. A camper noted that "there is a great mountain biking trail in the vicinity" and the park includes "plenty of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area."
Backpacking practice: For those new to backpacking or wanting to test gear before longer trips, Scioto-Grove Metro Park provides a perfect training ground. A reviewer explained the setup: "Scioto Grove is great if you're looking to test out some new backpacking gear. There are 5 reservable sites along the river trail and they all have tent pads and a fire pit."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy found at Delaware State Park, with one visitor commenting that "the best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy." Another camper noted the "spoke and wheel layout" with "roomy and we like the wooded feel."
Seasonal camping events: Cross Creek Camping Resort organizes themed weekends throughout the camping season. A reviewer mentioned "they also have themed-event weekends, which are really fun!" with Halloween being particularly popular. One camper shared: "We were there for the Halloween weekend and it was amazing."
Swimming options: Buck Creek State Park Campground features two distinct swimming areas, with a camper explaining: "There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it." Some campers also appreciated that Delaware State Park beach areas were "very clean and appears well cared for."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Reservations are essential, particularly for weekend stays. Most state parks now use online-only reservation systems, with a camper at Buck Creek State Park Campground noting: "Must reserve online as they are still doing everything virtual."
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and cleanliness of bathroom facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. At A.W. Marion State Park, "there are two drop toilets next to the playground which were kept clean. In the non-electric area they had porta-potties, but just a short walk away there are two flush toilets."
Campsite layouts and privacy: Site configurations vary widely across campgrounds. At Tree Haven Campground, sites are arranged for community interaction, while at Delaware State Park, a camper praised how "the 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near playground facilities for easier access with children. At A.W. Marion State Park Campground, the playground area is centrally located with clean facilities nearby, though one camper noted a tradeoff: "Site #9 is probably the biggest in the primitive section. It is right next to the entrance road, which is a bummer, but the size of the site made it totally worth it."
Kid-friendly weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize weekend activities specifically for children. At Alum Creek State Park, "they have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday," according to a regular visitor.
Look for bike-friendly campgrounds: Several parks offer wide, paved roads ideal for kids learning to ride bikes or enjoying casual cycling. A camper at Buck Creek mentioned that "my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: RV campers should check site descriptions carefully for levelness information. At Pastime Campground, "the camper pad was very level and the site was huge," while other campgrounds may require significant leveling.
Site width considerations: Some campgrounds have narrower sites that limit awning usage. One RVer at Cross Creek observed that "sites are close, but not unreasonably close. Good mix of pull through and back in and is big rig friendly," while another noted at Pastime Campground that "the sites are very skinny and you are packed really tight together. You can't even put your awning all the way out without hitting the camper next to you."
Electrical service details: Most campgrounds offer 30-amp service, with some providing 50-amp options. At Tree Haven Campground, a long-term visitor mentioned: "Nice quiet campground. Very clean. Conveniently located to Columbus. Lots of seasonal campers. Only gray water hook up available."
